Three-on-three a change for the fans

Whether hockey fans are for or opposed to it, three-on-three overtime has a statistical benefit compared to the conventional four on four format previously used.

Three-on-three overtime was introduced at the NHL level at the start of the regular season in October 2015, after testing it in the preseason and getting rave reviews from fans and general managers. It was also proposed at the time that the league would adopt this new format for the NHL All-Star game which was held Jan. 31 in Nashville, Tenn. The NHL originally tested the idea during the 2014-2015 season in the American Hockey League and received positive results. The AHL saw a 12 per cent drop in games that were decided in a shootout with the introduction of this new format.

 

If the game is still tied after regulation the game goes into overtime. The three-on-three overtime has three skaters on each side plus the goalie. Teams will play up to five minutes of sudden death in three-on-three. If no one has scored, the teams will proceed to a shootout. In previous years, the league would play five minutes of sudden death, four-on-four. If the game is still tied it would proceed to the shootout.

 

It is now just past the midway point in the NHL regular season schedule. According to NHL Public Relations, as of Feb. 3, 110 out of 172 games that needed extra time were decided by the three-on-three overtime period. Compared to the same point last season, 84 out of 186 games that required extra time were decided by the four on four overtime used.

 

During the 2014-2015 season Windsor native DJ Smith was the head coach of the Oshawa Generals, who would go on to win the Memorial Cup. In the off-season during the Toronto Maple Leafs organizational overhaul, it was announced now-former Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock would join the team. Joining him in the organization was Smith as an assistant coach, who works with the defence on the team along with the penalty kill.

 

Smith said he believes the changes were done to improve the fan experience.

 

“There’s a lot of skill and it’s exciting for the fans,” said Smith. “I think it’s good for skill, the fans and for development. These changes in all these leagues (Junior ‘A’ through to Junior ‘C’) are fair to everyone. I think when you’re making a line it depends on who you’re playing and where they are in the standings. If you are trying to match them and just survive or trying to move up the standings.”

 

Bill Bellaire a member of the Quebec Remparts, of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has been scouting free agents for the last five years who have fallen through the cracks. Bellaire said he believes three-on-three does not change the approach scouts have.

 

“Three-on-three is much better than the shootout. When you see a kid three-on-three, it does not matter to me as I prefer to see them five on five. It is a different game then,” said Bellaire. The fans are the winners in the three-on-three. Further, my thoughts for kids that want to play major junior. it is not the end of the world because that is why I am here and also trust me a lot of the Q scouts are watching. A player never knows who is in the stands watching.”

 

With the NHL adapting to the three-on-three format so have the junior leagues across Canada. With the NHL having success with it’s all-star format, drawing an estimate of over one million viewers in the U.S., according to the National Broadcasting Company Sports Network, fans can expect to see more three-on-three in the future.